Concrete-mixer water-supply means



G. E. WEBB CONCRETE MIXER WATER SUPPLY MEANS 5 Sheds-Sheet Filed April 24 1925 Dec. 7 B926.

G. E.-WEBB CONCRETE MIXER WATER SUPPLY MEANS 5Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 24, 1925 G. E WEBB I Dec. 7 1926.

CONCRETE MIXER WATER SUPPLY MEANS Filed April 24,

1925 5' Sheets-Sheet s Dec. 7 1926.

G. E. WEBB CONCRETE MIXER WATER SUPPLY MEANS Filed April 1 2 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Silo-17mm Dec. 7 1926.

G. WEBB CONCRETE MIXER WATER SUPPLY MEANS Filed April 24 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Dec. 7, 1926.

UNITED r GEORGE Evans WEBB, or MILWAUKEE, wrsconsm, AssIeNoR T0 xonnnme com- PANY, or MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION.

CONCRETE-MIXER WATER-SUPPLY MEANS.

Application filed April 24, 1925. Serial No. 25,634.

This invention embodies certain improvements in water supply equipment for concrete mixing machines of the general type presented in the United States patent of 6 Lichtenberg #1,523,548, issued January 20, 1925, wherein there is utilized the principle of a positive water forcing means for introducing the water required for mixing a batch of aggregates, into the drum of the mixer. In the operation of mixing machines, the time factor incident to the introduction of the aggregates and water is very material to the efliciency of the machine and the utilization of driving power ,-pref erably taken from the power means for actuating certain of the mixing machine parts, for the operation of the said pumping-or 3 water forcing instrumentalities.

A full understanding of the invention will be had upon reference to the following description, and to the accompanying drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in the latter of whi h the; various figures are described' briefly as follows: Figure 1 is a side view of the framework of a mixing machine of the side loader type, certain parts of the machine broken away and illustrating the loading skip at its down )OSltlOIl in dotted lines and at the limit of ts discharging position in full lines. Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the ump operating means and certain parts of the controlling mechanism for the latter. Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken through the operating gearing illustrated in Figure 2.-

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in section and elevation showing the control member for the ratchet mechanism of the pump driving gear, in a position permitting the ratchet pawl to be operated.

means is started into operation and stopped,-

-for operatin Fi re 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but showing the control member positioned so that the driving pawl is inactive.

Figure 6 is a plan view with a portion of the drum broken away and shown in section, illustrating certain of the main parts shown in Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a somewhat diagrammatic view, showing the three positions of the skip,- the lowermost as when the skip is on the grade, the next uppermost dotted line position at which point the skip acts to initiate the operation of the pump and the topmost position at which the skipfully discharges its contents of dry aggregates into the mixer,

the engaging 'means between the skip andz trip rod being shown clearly.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view ,partly in section showing the driving rack of the pump system with the upper trip that coacts with the control member, and the adustable lower trip which operates the inlet tity of liquid or water admitted to the measurmg chamber or cylinder.

Figure 9 is a sectional view showing more clearly the operating device for the inlet valve and the inlet valve structure itself.

Fig. 10 is a view of the parts shown in Figure 9 largely in elevation, and taken at a right angle to the view of Figure 9. t

Figure 11 is a top plan view showing a modification of the invention wherein the drive for the water supply mechanism is taken off of the mixing drum and used also Figure 12 is a view in side elevation, partly broken away, of the parts shown in Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary view in end *valve mechanism to close saidfivalve at a a fan for cooling the water' from the coo mg water jacket of the motor.

elevation bringing out clearly the connection-between the drum operating shaft and the fan operating shaft. 7

Those versed in the art to which this invention 'appertains are familiar with concrete mixer construction so that the parts of the mixing machine having to do primarily with the resent improvements may be very briefly re erred to as the mixing drum 1, the base or truck frame 2 on which it is supported, the skip 3 by which the drum 1 is thereof. The chute 8 coacts with the charging skip 3 in the customary way, and the water passage and egress opening 10 receive the water with which the drum 1 is to be charged, on introducing each batch of dry aggregates, from a water pipe 11 which communicates with the lower end of the cylinder 12.

' The cylinder 12 constitutes the measuring water chamber of; the invention and is equipped with a discharge valve 13 at its lower discharge end, which valve is loadedso as to resist opening movement, by weight means 14 sufficient to maintain the water supplied to the chamber 12 against outflow therefrom until a positive force is exerted to discharge or'eject such water.

I provide a positive operating mechanism for discharging the. measured contents of the chamberv or cylinder 12, somewhat similar to the means set forth in the Letters Patent, previously referred toherein. Said discharging means includes a piston 15 in the chamber 12 which piston is equipped with a piston rod actuator in the form of a driving rack 16, that extends through an opening in the upper head 17 of the cylinder 12. The head 17 is provided with a casing .18, in which are mounted certain gears and ratchet mechanism by which the piston'15 may be positively driven in order to discharge the contents or water within the chamber 12.

The positive driving means for thepiston 15 comprises a shaft '19 mounted on the framework 4 in suitable bearings and connected at its upper end'by bevel gears 20 and 21 with the skip hoist shaft 5. This shaft 5 is operated as customary in machines of this type, Letters Patent #1,107,171 to Koeh'ring, issued August 11, 1914, showing a conventional operating means such as may be used and intended to be illustrated in a general way by Figure 1.

In order to meet with the present day requirements of an efficient water charging apparatus for concrete mixers, the water must be introduced into the mixing drum during that cycle of action which takes place after the skip 3 starts upward to its discharging position and reaches the final upward limit of its movement. It is for this reason that 'the power for operating the water supply means of the invention maybe taken off of the shaft 5, which of course is in active operation whilst the skip hoisting movement occurs.

a From the shaft 19 motion is transmitted at the lower'end of the shaft to bevel gears 22 on shaft 19 and bevel gear 23 ona horizontal shaft 24 mounted within the casing 18 on the cylinder 12. Integral with the bevel gear 23 or suitably secured to the shaft 24 is an arm 25 that carries a pin 26 on which is mounted the pawl 27 seen best in Figures 4 and 5, having the tail 28. The pawl 27 is adapted 'to cooperate under suitable control with a single tooth ratchet wheel 29 on shaft 24 and preferably cast integral with the driving gear or pinion 30,

loosely mounted on the shaft 24 andhaving its teeth engaging the rack teeth 16 of the driving rack bar which is attached to the piston 15.

The ratchet pawl 27 is constantly urged toward a position in which it will engage at its nose with the tooth of the ratchet wheel 29 by means of a spring 27.

Certain means are provided in the form of the control member 31 consisting of a rectangular plate sliding vertically. in the casing 18, to cooperate with the tail 28 of the pawl 2 to prevent said pawl from engaging the tooth of the ratchet wheel 29 except when it is desired to drive the gear 30 to positively driving the rack bar 16 downwards. The cooperation of the control member 31 is best seen in Figures 4 and 5. In

Figure 5 the position of ,the control member 31 is such that the tail 28 of the pawl 27 operates on the'surface 31' of the control member and the pawl is thus held tilted in an inoperativeposition in relation to the ratchet "29 so that it cannot communicate movement to the member 29 which would actuate the rack driving gear 30. In the position of the parts in Figure 4 the control -member 31 has been raised until a recess 31" is opposite the tail of the pawl 27 and permits the spring 27' to shift the pawl into engagement with the wheel 29.

The means for operating the control member 31 is automatic and includes a lever having a pin and slot connection 33 with member 31, said lever being pivoted at 34 on a bracket czfrried by the casing 18. The other end of the lever 32 is equipped with a rod and spring device, the rod 35 and the spring 36, adapted to be operated by the skip 3 in the manner shown in Figure 7. In other words the lower end of the rod 35 has a foot piece 35 projecting therefrom, with which foot piece a trip arm 3 on the skip bracket 3" is adapted to coacti As the scribed, the rod 35 is pulled downwards to elevate the control member 31.

At the lower end of the;cylinder or water chamber 12 is mounted the water supply ski )is raised in a manner to be later deslot in the lever.

valve 37- in a valve casing 38. This valve 37 is connected with a rod 37 leading upwards from the valve to a lever 37 seen best in Figure 8, and not seen in Figure 1 becauseit is behind the cylinder 12 and casin 18. On the driving rack 16 there is carrie an adjustable trip block 16, see Figure 8, adapted during upward movement of the rack to engage the lever 37 androck the latter so that the rod 37 will close the valve 37 and discontinue the supply of water entering the chamber 12.

There is also carried at the upper end of the driving rack 16, a trip block 16 which functions to engage a lug 31 at the upper end of the control member 31, to force said control member downwards as the piston 15 reaches its lower limit of movement in dis: charging the contents of the chamber or cylinder 12.

The operating connections between the rod 37 and the water inlet valve 37 by which the cylinder 12 is charged by a measured quantity of water are peculiar and are shown beet in Figures 9 and 10. In these figures it will be seen that some distance above the valve casing 38 is a shaft 39 having an arm 40 connected with the rod 37 and a second arm 41 connected with the end lever 42 which is also adapted to operate the valve 37 manually, as later set forth. The arm 41 is attached pivotally and slidably to the lever 42 and said lever is connected to a knocker arm 43 by the pivot 44 also operating in a The knocker arm 43 is equipped with a double hammer head 45 capable of impinging the opposite ends of a valve actuating lever 46, the parts 43 and 46 having a common axis on a bracket projecting from the casing 38.

\Vith the parts as thus far described, presenting the preferred form of my invention, the operation of the whole mechanism is as follows:

It will be assumed that the loading skip 3 is on the grade or at its lower limit of movement. The operator grasps the lever 42 and' moves it downwards, see Figure 9, placing the springs 48 under increased tension andlocking the knocker arm 43 to the left. As soon as the pivot 44 passes over the center 47, the movement of the arm 43 is greatly accelerated to drive the hammer head 45 with considerable velocity, against the left head of the lever 46. The valve 37 is operated in this way and water begins to pass immediately into the chamber 12.- The entrance of the water into the chamber 12 under pressure raises the piston-15 and correspondingly raises the driving rack bar 16 thereof. At a certain point of the upward movement of the piston 15, dependent upon the adjustment of the trip block 16 of Figure 8, said block 16 actuates the lever 37*, the rod 37, and the valve connecting parts shown in Figure 9 to elevate the lever 42 and cause a movement of the hammer head 45 in the direction oppositethat previously referred to. The result is the closing of the valve 37 and stoppage of upward movement of the piston 15, which stoppage determines the quantity of water received in the chamber 12. By adJuStment of block 16 according to graduations that may be placed on the rack bar 16, see Figure 8, the amount of water received in the chamber 12 may be exactly with a predetermined quantity of water to belater forced into the mixer when the latter is charged or being charged with dry aggregates. In the upward movement of the rack bar 16, as soon as the control member 31, is in the position of Figure 5, the pawl 27 becomes inactive and the gear 30 freely rotated counterclockwise under the actuation of the rack bar.

The operator of the 'mach-inenow raises the skip 3 in the usual way, with its charge of dry aggregates. \Vhen the skip reaches the position illustrated in the lower dotted lines of Figure 7, or approximately 20 above the horizontal, the foot piece 35 of the rod 35 will have been depressed sufficiently to pull down on the lever 32 and raise the control member 31 from its position Figure 5 for adjustment of the parts to its position of Figure 4 adjustment. pawl 27 impelling its spring 27' to force it into engagement with the ratchet wheel 29,

whereupon the gear 30 under the influence of the ratchet wheel actuation will immediately turn under power of the driving gear 22 and shaft 19, and in a clockwise direction. The gear 30 thus forces the driving'rack 16 downwards with its piston 15 and the force thus generated causes the loaded discharge valve 13 at the bottom of the chamber 12 to be opened and the water in the chamber 12 is discharged under pressure through the pipe 11 and passage 9 into the mixing drum 1. \Vhen the water in the chamber 12 is fully This action shows the expelled therefrom and received in the drum 1, the skip 3 will have reached its highest ele-.

vation and fully discharge its contents of dry aggregates into the drum. Furthermore at this time, the piston 15 will have reached the bottom of the cylinder 12 and the automatic acting trip block 16 will have struck the lug 31 of control member 31, shifting said control member back downwards to its position of Figure 5 at which time the surface 31 of the control member 31 will re-engage the tail 28 of the pawl 27 disconnecting the pawl from the ratchet wheel '29 and discontinuing positively accurate as regards the measuring control operation of :the said member 31. The location of the recess 31" in the control member 31 must likewise be carefully determined as it predetermines the power for discharged stroke of thepistoninthe chamber 12.

In Figures 12 and 13 the power shaft 5 for operating the drive rack 16 1s gearedto the drum 1 as shown. at 54 and has worm gear connection 55 with the shaft 24 that corresponds with the shaft 24 of the first de scribed form of the invention. In this now described construction, the shaft '5, carries a belt wheel 56 connected by a belt wheel 57 with another belt wheel 58 .on the fan. shaft 59, and the shaft 59 has the exhaust fan 60 adapted to supply a current of air useful for cooling the jacket water from the motor by which'the mixing late and other parts of the invention are iven.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In combination, a mixing machine and its 0 rating mechanism, a water supply cham er having water inlet means, means establishing communication between said chamber and the mixing machine for passage of water to the latter, means for charging the mixing machine with aggregates, operating mechanism independent of the charging means actuated by the operating means ofthe mixing machlne for forcing the water from the water chamber to a point of admixture with the aggregates supplied to the machine by the charging means, and means controlling said operating means from the skip.

2. In combination, a mixing drum and its operatin means, a water chamber connected with said drum, a charging device for load ing aggregates into the drum, means for positively expelling water from the water chamber and forcing it under pressure into the mixing machine, including a drive, and instrumentalities intermediate the last mentioned means and the charging device for initiating the operation'of the former to place the driverm action at a predetermined ppint m the movement of the charging de'- VICE.

3. In combination, a mixing drum and its operating means, a water chamberconnected with sai drum -a-charging device for load-- ing aggregates into the drum, means for positively expelling water from the water chamber and forcing it under pressure into the 'mixing machine, and instrumentalities intermediate the last mentioned means and the charging device for initiating the operation of the forn'ler at a predetermined point in the-movement of. the charging device, valve means normally cutting off communication betweenthe Water chamber and the mixing drum and automatically operable by the water under the action of the water expelling means associatedwith said' chamber.

4. 'In combination, a mixing drum, a water. chamber, a water flow plpe connecting the said chamber with the interior of the drum, a charging chute for the drum'located above the point where said pipe -enters the eratively connecting said drive mechanism with said forcing means, and means included in the forcing means for discontinuing the operative connection between the drive means and the said forcing means.

7 6 In combination, a mixer, drive mechanism therefor, a, pump comprising a water chamber and piston i'n-said chamber, a driving bar connected with said piston to move it to expel water from the chamber, means for supplying water expelled from the chamber to the mixer, means for connecting I the drive mechanism with said driving bar, and means on said driving bar for disconn'ecting the drive mechanism from said bar at a predetermined time.

7. In combination,-a mixer, a water pump connected with the mixer to supply water thereto, an inlet for said ump for admitting water thereto, means or operating the pump, normally disconnected therefrom and adapted to be connected therewith at will, and means operated by said pump for disconnecting it from its operating means,-together with means operated by said pump the cutting off the supply of water at the inlet at a certain time in the pump action.

8. In combination, a mixer, a pump for forcing water into the mixer having an in-.

let by which water issupplied to the pump, a va ve for said inlet, the pump comprising a piston adapted to be moved-by the water from the inlet as said water fills the pump, operating means for said iston, and means controlled by movement 0 the piston to disconnect it from'said operating means.

9. In combination, a mixer, a pump for forcing water into the mixerhaving an mlet by which water is supplied to the pump, a

- valve for said inlet, the pump comprising a piston adapted to be moved by the water from the inlet as said water fills the pump, operating means for said piston, and means controlled by movement of the piston to disconnect it from said operating means, and other means operated from the piston for closing said inlet valve to cut off flow of water to the pump from the inlet.

10. In combination, a mixer, a pump for forcing water into the mixer having an inlet by, which water is supplied to the pump, a valve for said inlet, the pump comprising a piston adapted to bemoved by the water from theinlet as said water fills the pump, operating means for said'piston, and means controlled by movement of the piston to disconnect it from said operating means, and other means operated from the piston for closing-said inlet valve to cut off flow of water to the pump from the inlet, and a chargingdevice for the mixer cooperating to ope'ratively connect the piston with the operating means therefor.

11. In combination,a mixer, a pump for forcing water into the mixer comprising a piston, a driving bar for the piston, operating mechanism for actuating said driving bar normally disconnected therefrom, an inlet valve controlling flow ,of water into the pump, a device for charging aggregates into the mixer, means operative by said charging devic for connecting the driving bar with sai operating means, to cause the pump to force the water therefrom into the mixer, and means operated by said driving bar for closing said inlet valve to discon tinue the flow of water into the pump;-

12. In combination, a mixer. a pump, comprising a piston, and piston chamber having water inlet, an inlet valve governing said inlet, a connection between said piston chamber and the mixer through which water may,

be forced into the latter, operating mechanism, a driving bar connected with the pieton for moving the latter, a charging skip for the mixer, means normally inoperative adapted to connect the driving bar with said operating means and comprising a control member, means for operating said control" member from the charging skip to automatically connect the operating means with the driving bar, means carried by the driving bar to actuate said control member to disconnect the driving bar from its operating means. I

13. In combination, a mixer, a pump, comprising a piston, and piston chamber having vwater inlet, an inlet valve governing said inlet, a connection between said piston chamher and the mixer through which water may be forced into the latter, operating-mechaskip actuating means.

nism, a driving bar connected with the is-.

ton for moving the latter, a chargings ip for the mixer, means normally inoperative adapted to connect the driving bar with said operating means and comprlsing a control member, means for operating said control member from the charging skip to automatically connect the operatingmeans with the driving bar, means carried by the driving bar to actuate said control member to disconnect the driving bar from its operating means, the operating means forclosing the inlet valve controlled by said control member, and adapted to be initiated into action by the driving bar.

14, In combination, a concrete mixer and operating means therefor, water supply means for the mixer, comprising a water chamber, skip actuating means operated by said operating means, and means for forcibly moving the water from the water chamber means operated by the mixer for operating the last mentioned means, and a water cool- .ing fan operated by the means which operates the means for moving the water from the chamber to the mixer.

17. In combination, a mixer, water supply means for the mixer, actuating means for forcing the water from the supply means to the mixer, means for operating said last-actuating means from the mixer, anda water cooling fan alsooperated by said actuating means.

18. In combination, a mixing machine and its operating mechanism, a water supply chamber having water inlet means, means for conducting water from the said chamber to theimixing machine, a loading skip for charging the mixing machine with aggregates, means for operating the loading skip, control means intermediate the skip and the water supply chamber for causing the water to pass fromsaid chamber to the mixing machine as the loading skip moves .to a position for charging aggregates into the mixing machine, said controlling means being such that it initiates the, movementof the water from the water chamber to the mixing machine shortly after the loading skip starts upward in its charging movement,,and maintains the flow of the water into the mixing machine during the subsequent movement, of the skip as aforesaid.

19. In combination, a mixing machine and its operating mechanism, a water supply chamber, means for conducting water" from said supply Chamber to the mixing machine for admixture with solid aggregates charged into the latter, a loading skip-"for charging solid aggregates. into the mixing machine, controlling means for controlling the passage of the water from the water supply chamber to the mixing machine, and connecting means between the loading skip and said controlling means whereby the water is caused to start its movement from the water supply chamber into the mixing machine at the beginning of the solid aggregate charging movementof the loading skip and maintained continuously fiowing'into the mixing machine during the subsequent movement'of the loading skip.

20. In combination, a mixing maclrine and its operating mechanism, a water su ply chamber, means for conducting water rom said supply chamber to the mixing machine for admixture with solid aggregates charged into the latter, a loading skip for ohargmg solid aggregates into the mixing machine, controlling means for controlling the passage of the water from the water supply chamber to the mixing machine, and connect ing means between the loading skip and said controlling means whereby the water is caused to start its movement from the Water supply chamber into the mixing machine at ing the said chamber with the interior of the drum, the said drum comprising a head having an inlet opening through which the water and solid aggregates are charged thereinto, and the said waterflow pipe being so arranged as to enter the drum and having its discharge end directed toward the inner side of the said drum. head whereby the Water will be caused to flow against said head as it enters the drum.

221m combination, a mixing drum, a water chamber, a water flow pip'econnecting the said chamber with the interior of the drum, the saiddruin comprising a head having an inlet, opening through which the water and solid aggregates are charged thereinto, and the said water flow pipe being so arranged as toenter the drum and ing the said chamber with the interior of,

the drum, and acombined charging chute for the drum and water flow pipe section, the latter forming a part of the water flow pipe previously referred to.

24. In'combination, a mixing machine, a water chamber, a water flow pipe leading from said chamber to the mixing machine, a driving mechanism associated with the mixing machine, means for positively forc ing the water from the chamber to the mixing machine, and a loading skip arranged to operatively connect the driving mecha nism aforesaid with the said water forcing means.

25. In combination, a mixing machine, a Water chamber, a water flow pipe leading from said chamber to'the mixing machine, a driving mechanism associated with the mixing machine, means for positively forcing the water from the chamber to the mix-v ing machine, and a loading skip arranged to operatively connect the driving mechanism aforesaid with the said water forcing means, said water forcing means comprising an instrumentality for disconnecting it from the driving mechanism at a predetermined time.

26. In combination, a mixing machine, a water chamber, a water flow pipe leading from said chamber to the mixing machine, a driving mechanism associated with the mixing machine, means for positively forcing the water from the chamber to the mixing machine. and a loading skip arranged to operatively connect the driving mecha nism aforesaid with the said water forcing means, said water forcing means comprising an instrumentality for disconnecting it from the driving mechanism at a predetermined time, a water inlet connected with the said chamber, an inlet valve controlling said inlet, and an instrumentality operated by the water forcing means incident to theentering action of the water into the chamber closing the water inlet valve and thereby controlling the amount of water that will be received in the water chamber-for subsequent passage to the mixing machine.

27. In combination, a concrete mixer, a water chamber associated therewith, a water outlet flow pipe connecting the mixing machine and chamber aforesaid; a water inlet pipe connected with the chamber, valvewater outflow pipe to the mixer and means controlled from said piston for cutting off the supply of the water from the chamber to the inlet pipe aforesaid.

28. In combination, a concrete mlxer, a water chamber associated therewith, a water outlet flow pipe connectingthe mixing 'machine and chamber aforesaid, a water inlet pipe connected with the chamber, valve means controlling the flow of water from the inlet pipe to the chamber, a piston for forcing the water from the chamber to the water outflow pipe to the mixer and means controlled from said piston for cutting off the supply of the water from the chamber to the inlet pipe aforesaid, and including a valve, a device for operating the valve and means on the piston for actuating the said dev'ice when a predetermined quantity of Water has been admitted to the chamber.

29. Means substantially as claimed in claim 28.. wherein the means on the piston is movable to adjust its position to vary the quantity of water which will be received in the chamber.

30. In combination, a concrete mixer, a

water tank therefor, and an outflow pipe leading from said tank to the mixer, a wa- .ter inlet for 'the tank, a piston in the tank for forcing the water from the tank throuvh the outflow pipe, operating mechanism or said piston including a driving bar, means on the driving bar for automatically 'discontinuing the movement of the piston which forces water through'the tank on the outflow pipe, and means on the said, driving bar for automatically cutting ofi' the supply of water through the tank through the inlet aforesaid at a predetermined point in the movement of the piston.

In testimony whereof I afiix my si nature.

GEORGE EVANS BB. 

